Cancelling with Optus is as simple as a phone call
We encourage people to shop around and find great deals on their phone plan. It’s so easy these days to switch whenever your plan expires to take advantage of discounts and special offers.
In that case, you’ll need to cancel your SIM plan. For Optus customers, cancelling a SIM plan is simple and straightforward, and in most cases it’s free. This is also true for cancelling Optus service contracts and postpaid SIM plans, which isn’t always the case with other telcos.
Alternative Plans To Consider
Here’s a look at how easy it is to cancel your Optus postpaid plan:
- Start the cancellation process by visiting the Optus website.
- Tap Moving & Disconnecting and select how you want to contact Optus.
- The easiest ways to contact Optus are either through their 24/7 chat or your My Optus self service app. You can also call Optus from your handset by dialling 133 937 on Monday to Friday, 8AM to 8PM, and Saturday, 9AM to 5PM.
- If you’re outside Australia, call Optus by dialing +61 2 8082 5678 on Monday to Wednesday from 8am to 7pm, AEST, Thursday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, AEST or Saturday from 9am to 6pm, AEST.
- When you contact Optus, tell them you’d like to disconnect your service. The representative may offer you great deals to keep you on board (here’s how to haggle like a pro if you’re interested). If you insist on cancelling, the Optus representative will tell you when your postpaid plan will be disconnected, if any cancellation fees or outstanding device payments must be made beforehand, and whether you need to return any Optus equipment.
Remember, Optus postpaid plans are now month-to-month SIM-Only plans. This means that you’re not committed to a lengthy multi-year contract that locks you in. Instead, your plan can be cancelled at any time without fear of hefty contract-breaking fees.
Cancelling services and returning equipment
In many cases, cancelling a telco service isn’t the end of it. Depending on the service you have, you may also have equipment that belongs to the telco, such as a modem for home broadband.
Optus makes returning their equipment easy – you don’t have to go to any Optus stores. They will provide you with a prepaid package so all you have to do is place the equipment inside the package and send it off via Australia Post.
Optus Cancellation fees
If you’re on a mobile plan with Optus, then you don’t have to worry about any early termination fees. Optus is one of the only telcos that don’t charge cancellation fees on contract phones.
However, if you’re on a contract to pay off a device in monthly instalments, then you would have to pay off the device in full to cancel your contract.
So here are the important factors to consider:
- Minimum Total Cost (MTC)
Your contract will display the MTC, which is the minimum total cost you will have paid at the end of your contract if you’ve been paying your phone off through monthly instalments. - Your existing number
If you’re cancelling an Optus plan that includes a phone number, then you have to decide whether or not you want to keep your existing number. If you do, be sure to mention this to the representative and gather information about porting your existing number to the other telco of your choice. In other words, have a telco and plan in mind and port your number to them.
Although most Optus services don’t have termination fees, be sure to ask just in case. Fees might be charged if you’re cancelling a small business broadband plan, for instance.
Choosing a new plan
Switching plans is simple in Australia thanks to government regulation. To choose a new plan, you can compare the best Sim Only plans and look for one that suits the amount of data you need.
When you purchase a new plan online, you’ll have a new SIM card posted to you or you can download your new plan if you have an eSIM.
One last thought: if you’ve had a poor experience with a phone company, call and tell them you’re considering leaving. You’ll be surprised at what they offer to keep you! You’re likely to get a bunch of extra data for the monthly subscription fee you’re currently paying, and then you might just be able to avoid the hassle of going through the porting process altogether.